Harmless Fan Has Ribbon Blades (Jul, 1935)
Filed under: House and Home — @ 10:17 pm
Source: Modern Mechanix ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Jul, 1935
| Buy on Ebay
Source: Modern Mechanix ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Jul, 1935
| Buy on Ebay
I actually just bought one of these
Harmless Fan Has Ribbon Blades
SILK ribbons, held in loops, form the blades of a harmless electric fan recently demonstrated at the Industrial Arts Exposition in New York. The ribbons give a standard pitch when rotating and are said to be able to throw a current of air ten feet away.
Why not just use sharp big razor blades and encase them in a cage (like today’s fans)?
But seriously, whouldn’t it be easier NOT to have exposed fan blades? no matter if they’re harmless .
Comment by albear — March 20, 2008 @ 10:54 am
That it is an interesting idea, I think soft rubber would be more practical for the paddles.
Comment by Myles — March 20, 2008 @ 10:59 am
They used to make rubber ones, my folks had a three blade rubber fan when I was little back in the 60s.
The rubber eventually got brittle and I suppose the thing was as dangerous as a plastic bladed fan with no shroud. If the motor case hadn’t cracked and fallen apart it would probably still be around.
Comment by Neil Russell — March 20, 2008 @ 4:24 pm
I have had Caframo fans for years. They are much quieter and do a much better job of moving air than a caged fan that has a grille that creates turbulence. They all have a nifty flexible blade with bumpers on the leading edge. Unfortunately my three-year-old boy loves to stick his hands in the rotating blade. While this is fun I’m not sure it’s a good life-lesson.
http://www.caframo.com/electricfans.htm
Comment by Craig — March 21, 2008 @ 4:51 am
Thanks for the link, interesting. Using box fans right now so this is very handy.
Comment by Tim Giachetti — March 21, 2008 @ 8:19 am
I have this one. it was made by Singer and sold by Sears Roebuck. The first design was patented in 1930. It is molded of bakelite and the great thing is that when blowing the blades are invisible! It is stunning!
Comment by Galessa — November 25, 2008 @ 2:57 pm
Does anyone know where I can purchase replacement ribbons for the Singer ribbon fan?
Comment by Venice Gril — March 20, 2009 @ 10:19 am
hi, anyone know how to disassemble the ribbionair ?? thanks bill
Comment by WILLIAM SPURLIN — November 11, 2009 @ 9:26 pm
WILLIAM SPURLIN: I’m sure all questions can be answered here http://www.fancollectors.org/museum1.htm
Comment by Firebrand38 — November 11, 2009 @ 9:59 pm
About the replacements for the blades: These blades were at first made of grassgrain ribbons, then elastic ribbons. I searched the whole web for Brown grossgrain ribbons 1″ wide and thick like the originals,but all I could find was very thin ones, that could not stand on their on. So I bought elastic ribbons and dyed them the appropriate bakelite brown. they look perfect:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/galessa/3569491283/
About disassembling: The foot is easy, although I never tried to disassemble the arm. It looks like it wasn’t made to be disassembled. The motor case looks puzzling but is rather easy: you will find under the case (movable) an oppening, wide enough so you can introduce a tool there to keep the motor axis still. After doing that, just unscrew (counterclockwise) the bakelite case. That’s it.
Comment by galessa — November 12, 2009 @ 5:48 am
hi really appreciate the info on disassemble of the ribbonaire but cant break it loose any more tips?? thanks bill
Comment by WILLIAM SPURLIN — November 12, 2009 @ 10:08 pm
What do you mean, break it loose?
Comment by galessa — November 12, 2009 @ 10:32 pm
Galessa: nice job on the dying – that fan looks quite wonderful.
Comment by Toronto — November 13, 2009 @ 12:39 am
yes…can’t seem to break it loose even with a lot of pressure..afraid I will break it..thanks for you’re help..bill
Comment by WILLIAM SPURLIN — November 13, 2009 @ 7:10 am